a. [ L. profligatus, p. p. of profligare to strike or dash to the ground, to destroy; pro before + a word akin to fligere to strike. See Afflict. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Overthrown; beaten; conquered. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The foe is profligate, and run. Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Broken down in respect of rectitude, principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch. [ 1913 Webster ]

A race more profligate than we. Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Made prostitute and profligate muse. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Abandoned; corrupt; dissolute; vitiated; depraved; vicious; wicked. See Abandoned. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person. “Such a profligate as Antony.” Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To drive away; to overcome. [ A Latinism ] [ Obs. ] Harvey. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a profligate manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being profligate; an abandoned course of life; profligacy. [ 1913 Webster ]